A group of stakeholders representing Kwara South and the Igbomina community held discussions with the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, in Abuja on Tuesday, calling for urgent and sustainable measures to address escalating insecurity in the area.

The engagement, which took place at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, assembled community leaders, security personnel, and technical specialists to examine both short-term and enduring approaches to confront banditry and criminal acts affecting various communities.

Heading the delegation, Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, Coordinator of Joint Security Watch Kwara South, stated that the purpose of the meeting was to reinforce cooperation between local stakeholders and the Nigeria Police Force.

He praised the police leadership for its work in tackling crime within the region, while calling for heightened efforts, particularly in locations suffering recurrent attacks.

Oyin-Zubair drew attention to troubling reports of victims remaining in captivity even after ransom demands were met, referencing the plight of eight kidnap victims in the Omugo community whose relatives allegedly disbursed approximately N20m, together with food supplies and motorcycles, yet failed to secure their freedom.

He stated, "Our mission is to appreciate the efforts of the police and also assure them of our continued support as stakeholders. We are committed to complementing government efforts in restoring peace to our communities."

Among the delegation members were the Acting Chairman of Omo Ibile Igbomina (Abuja branch); Dele Gege, a former Director at the Nigerian Communications Commission; Femi Atoyebi; and a former local government chairman, Risikat Lawal.

Senior police officers in attendance comprised Deputy Inspector-General Umar Shehu Nadada, Commissioner of Police Martins Nwogoh of the Airwing Operations, alongside technical experts, including a drone specialist identified as Mr Chueze.

According to sources present, deliberations centred on improved tactical deployments, intelligence collection, and the utilisation of technology-led interventions, such as aerial surveillance, to suppress criminal activities in forested zones across Kwara South.

The stakeholders reiterated their backing for the Kwara State Government led by AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, emphasising that community-based initiatives would continue to support official security operations.

They voiced confidence that the dialogue with police leadership would yield tangible outcomes, including enhanced security presence and synchronised interventions in at-risk communities.

The delegation further noted that consultations with other security agencies remain underway as part of a wider strategy to restore peace and stability to the region.